Access control device commissioning

ABSTRACT

A system and method for enhancing the security associated with the commissioning of an access control device. According to certain embodiments, a commissioning activator is positioned to be accessible from one side of the installed access control device. Thus, the access control device may be installed such that the commissioning activator is accessible to individuals having access to a relatively secure side of the access control device. The displacement of the access control device may generate an activation signal that is detected by a processing device of the access control device. Upon detection of the activation signal, the processing device may activate an input/output device that may transmit an identification signal that is detected by a wireless configuration device. Following receipt of a connection request from the configuration device, the access control device and the configuration device can be connected such that commissioning of the access control device may proceed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/169,061, filed Jun. 1, 2015, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to commissioningof access control devices. More particularly, but not exclusively,embodiments of the present invention relate to security measures forinitiating the commissioning of an access control device with a wirelessdevice.

Security management systems often utilize access control devices, suchas, for example, electronic lockset devices and credential readerdevices, among other devices, to control the ingress and/or egressthrough an entryway. Often the installation of certain types of accesscontrol devices includes commissioning of the access control device suchthat the access control device becomes integrated into the securitymanagement system. For example, commissioning of an access controldevice may include, but is not limited to, recognizing the accesscontrol device as being part of the security management system,assigning the access control device a unique identifier within thesecurity management system, providing the access control device withnetwork information, and/or providing the access control device withauthorization information, including, for example, an encryption key(s),among other information.

Traditionally, the commissioning of at least certain access controldevices has been performed by physically attaching a configurationdevice to the access control device. Moreover, a physical connection,such as, for example, a wired connection, between the configurationdevice and the access control device provided a pathway for the exchangeof information with the access control device. However, such aconnection typically requires the presence of a technician at thelocation of the access control device during commissioning, as well thepresence of mating ports, among other components, to physically couplethe access control device to a configuration device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An aspect of an embodiment of the present application is an accesscontrol device for controlling the displacement of an entryway device,the access control device being mountable on the entryway device. Theaccess control device includes a first assembly and a second assembly,the first assembly being mountable to a first side of the entrywaydevice and the second assembly being mountable to a second side of theentryway device. The access control device further includes acommissioning activator that is adapted to be accessible, when theaccess control device is operably mounted to the entryway device, fromone, and only one, of the first assembly and the second assembly.Additionally, the commissioning activator is displaceable between anun-activated position and an activated position. The access controldevice further includes a processing device that is adapted to receive asignal when the commissioning activator is displaced to the activatedposition, the processing device being further adapted to, upon receiptof the signal, instruct an input/output device of the access controldevice to transmit an identification signal. Further, the identificationsignal can include a unique identifier of the access control device.

Another aspect of an embodiment of the present application is a methodfor commissioning an access control device, the method includingreceiving, by a processing device of the access control device, anactivation signal indicating the displacement of a commissioningactivator from an un-activated position to an activated position. Uponreceipt of the activation signal by the processing device, an inputoutput device of the access control device can be activated.Additionally, a radio signal can be transmitted from the activatedinput/output device, the radio signal having a unique identifier for theaccess control device. Additionally, the input/output device canreceive, in response to the transmitted radio signal, a connectionrequest. The method can further include accepting, by the processingdevice, the connection request, and receiving by the input/output deviceupon acceptance of the connection request a commissioning signalcontaining commissioning information for the access control device.

Another aspect of an embodiment of the present application is a methodfor commissioning an access control device that includes detecting thedisplacement of a commissioning activator from an un-activated positionto an activated position. Further, the commissioning activator can beexternally accessible from one, and only one, side of the access controldevice. Upon detection of the displacement of the commissioningactivator, an identification signal can be transmitted from aninput/output device of the access control device. Further, theinput/output device can receive, in response to the transmittedidentification signal, a request for connection that can be accepted bythe processing device. Additionally, the input/output device canreceive, upon acceptance of the connection request, a commissioningsignal containing information for commissioning the access controldevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying figureswherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of exemplary first and second assembliesof an exemplary electronic lockset device that is mounted to an entrywaydevice.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of the first assembly of theelectronic lockset device illustrated in FIG. 1 mounted against a firstside of the entryway device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of the second assembly of theelectronic lockset device illustrated in FIG. 1 mounted against a secondside of the entryway device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary locksetdevice and an external wireless configuration device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary process forcommissioning an electronic lockset device.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certainembodiments. It should be understood, however, that the presentinvention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shownin the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the foregoing description for convenienceand is not intended to be limiting. Words such as “upper,” “lower,”“top,” “bottom,” “first,” and “second” designate directions in thedrawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes the wordsspecifically noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similarimport. Additionally, the words “a” and “one” are defined as includingone or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase“at least one of” followed by a list of two or more items, such as “A, Bor C,” means any individual one of A, B or C, as well as any combinationthereof.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary access control device 100 that may beutilized to at least assist in controlling ingress and/or egress throughan entryway. In the illustrated embodiment, the access control device100 is an electronic lockset device 102 that may be utilized to at leastlock an entryway device 104 in at least a closed position. For example,the entryway device 104 can be a door or gate, among other barriers,that, when in a closed position relative to an entryway, preventspassage through the entryway, and thereby at least assists incontrolling access to, or release from, at least one area that isadjacent to the entryway device 104. However, embodiments of the presentinvention may also be utilized with a variety of other types of accesscontrol devices 100. For example, according to certain embodiments, theaccess control device 100 can be a credential reader device, such as,for example, a reader device that reads a credential on a card or badge,among other credential devices. Similarly, according to certainembodiments, the access control device 100 may include an exit device,such as, for example, a push bar or push pad exit device that includes alock mechanism having a latch assembly. Alternatively, according tocertain embodiments, the access control device 100 can be a paymentterminal and/or a door closer. Further, according to certainembodiments, the access control device 100 may be a combination of twoor more access control devices.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the electronic lockset device102 may include a first assembly 106 and a second assembly 108 mountedon opposing sides of the entryway device 104. For example, the firstassembly 106 may be mounted, or otherwise positioned adjacent to, afirst side 110 of the entryway device 104, while the second assembly 108may be mounted, or otherwise adjacent, to a second, opposing side 112 ofthe entryway device 104. Further, according to certain embodiments, thefirst and second sides 110, 112 of the entryway device 104 maycorrespond to positions or locations relative to an area and/or spacethat is adjacent to the entryway. For example, according to certainembodiments, the entryway device 104 may be used in controlling entryinto, and/or release from, a room, structure, or space. Thus, accordingto certain embodiments, when the entryway device 104 is at least in aclosed position relative to at least the entryway, one of the first andsecond sides 110, 112 of the entryway device 104, and thus one of thefirst and second assemblies 106, 108, may generally be directed towardan inside region of the room, structure, or space, while the other ofthe first and second sides 110, 112 of the entryway device 104, and thusthe other of the first and second assemblies 106, 108, is directed to anoutside region the room, structure, or space.

Referencing FIG. 2, according to the illustrated embodiment, the firstassembly 106 of the electronic lockset device 102 is an outsideassembly, and thus the first side 110 of the entryway device 104 is anoutside portion of the entryway device 104. Further, according to theillustrated embodiment, the first assembly 106 includes a first lever114, a first escutcheon plate 116, and a first backing plate 118.According to the illustrated embodiment, the first assembly 106 mayinclude a credential reader interface structured to read at least onetype of credential, including, but not limited to, a prox and/or NFC(i.e., smart card). However, the credential reader interface 120 (FIG.4) may receive identification information in a variety of other manners,including, for example, through the use of a fingerprint or retinalscan, keypad entry, and/or wireless communication. According to certainembodiments, the first escutcheon plate 116 and a portion of the firstbacking plate 118 may generally house an inner region that is sized tohouse at least a portion of the credential reader interface 120.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the electronic lockset device102 includes a lock mechanism 122 (FIG. 4), such as, for example, a lockmechanism 122 having a selectively displaceable latch or bolt 124 thatmay engage or extend into an adjacent wall, frame, or component in amanner that may secure the entryway device 104 in the closed position.The lock mechanism 122 may also be operably coupled to the first lever114 of first assembly 106 such that, when the lock mechanism 122 is inan unlocked condition, rotational displacement of the first lever 114from a first position to a second position may inwardly displace thelatch or bolt 124 from an extended position to an at least partiallyretracted position such that the latch or bolt 124 does not impede theentryway device 104 from being displaced from the closed position to anopen position. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the lockmechanism 122 may also include a lock cylinder 126 having a keyway 128that is accessible from the first side of the entryway device 104. Thelock cylinder 126 may have a variety of different configurations,including, but not limited to, a pin and tumbler, mortise, and tubularlock configuration, among others.

Referencing FIG. 3, the second assembly 108 of the electronic locksetdevice 102 may include a second lever 130 that, like the first lever114, is operably coupled to the lock mechanism 122. Thus, rotationaldisplacement of the second lever 130 from a first position to a secondposition may rotably displace, when the lock mechanism 122 is in anunlocked condition, inwardly displace the latch or bolt 124 from anextended position to an at least partially retracted position such thatthe latch or bolt 124 does not impede the entryway device 104 from beingdisplaced from the closed position to an open position.

The second assembly 108 may also include a second escutcheon plate 132,and a second backing plate 134. The second escutcheon plate 132 and aportion of the second backing plate 134 may generally define a firstinner region within the second assembly 108 that houses one or morecomponents of the electronic lockset device 102, such as, for example, aprocessing device 136 and/or at least a portion of an input/outputdevice 138, as shown in FIG. 4, among other components. Additionally,according to certain embodiments in which the electronic lockset device102 is battery powered, the lockset device 102 may also include a secondinner region that is generally defined by a battery cover 142 and aportion of the second backing plate 134. According to the illustratedembodiment, the second inner region is sized to accommodate at least theoperable placement of one or more batteries that provide at least aportion of the electrical power that is used to operate the electroniclockset device 102.

Optionally, the second assembly 108 may further include a thumbturn 144that is operably coupled to the lock mechanism 122, and which provides amechanism by which a user on one side of the entryway device 104 maymanually lock and unlock the lockset device 102. According to such anembodiment, rotable displacement of the thumbturn 144 may outwardlydisplace the latch or bolt 124 to an extended, locked position and/orsecure the lock mechanism in the locked position, while rotabledisplacement of the thumbturn 144 in a second, opposite direction mayinwardly displace the latch or bolt 124 to an retracted, unlockedposition and/or secure the lock mechanism in the unlocked position.Alternatively, rather than being a rotable thumbturn 144, the user maydepress a button that facilitates the displacement or the latch or bolt124 between the extended locked position and the retracted, unlockedposition.

One of the first or second assemblies 106, 108 further includes acommissioning activator 146 that can be used in connection with thecommissioning of the access control device 100, which in this exampleis, again, an electronic lockset device 102. As discussed below,according to certain embodiments, activation of the commissioningactivator 146 may initiate the transmission of a signal from aninput/output device 138 (FIG. 4) of the lockset device 102 that uniquelyidentifies the lockset device 102, and which is received by otherexternal devices. For example, the activation of the commissioningactivator 146 may initiate the transmission of a signal from thetransceiver 148 that allows the access control device 100 to be seen byexternal, devices, such as, for example, an external wirelesscommissioning activator 146 (FIG. 4) that is utilized to configure theaccess control device 100 to be part of a security management system.

According to certain embodiments, the commissioning activator 146 may bea button, switch, or other device that may be manually engaged by auser, such as, for example, by a digit of a user such that thecommissioning activator 146 is displaceable between an un-activatedportion and an activated position. Further, according to certainembodiments, the commissioning activator 146 may be biased to theun-activated position, such as, for example, by a spring. Additionally,the commissioning activator 146 may be engaged by the user from one sideof the electronic lockset device 102. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, the commissioning activator 146 may include a button that isaccessible from the second assembly 108 of the lockset device 102, andmore specifically, may be depressed by a user that has access to thesecond assembly 108 of the lockset device 102 when the entryway device104 is in a closed position relative to the entryway. Thus, according toembodiments in which the second assembly 108 is positioned at an insidelocation, access to engage the commissioning activator 146 may generallybe limited to those users who have authorization to be at an insidelocation of the associated room, structure, or space. Moreover, in suchan example, unauthorized users who may be generally limited to access tothe first assembly 106, but not the second assembly 108 of theelectronic lockset device 102, may have limited, if any, access to thecommissioning activator 146. Accordingly, such limitations in theability to operably engage the commissioning activator 146 may limitthose individuals who may at least attempt to commission the accesscontrol device 100, and thereby limit at least opportunities to tamperwith the commissioning of the access control device 100. In particular,generally only users with access to the secured side of the door areable to start the commissioning process. Accordingly, incorporating theactivation of the limitedly accessible commissioning activator 146 intothe procedure for commissioning the access control device 100, which inthis example is the electronic lockset device 102, may add an additionallevel of security in the commissioning of the access control device 100.

According to certain embodiments, the commissioning activator 146 mayhave multi-functionality. Moreover, the commissioning activator 146 maybe utilized for operations of the access control device 100 in additionto uses in the commissioning of the access control device 100. Forexample, according to certain embodiments, the commissioning activator146 may be a request for exit (REX) switch. Thus, according to certainembodiments, operable engagement of the REX switch, and thus thecommissioning activator 146, may initiate the transmission(s) of asignal(s) that may both identify access control device 100 in connectionwith the commissioning of the access control device 100, and also notifyanother external device(s) that someone is seeking to exit, and/or isexiting, through the entryway.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary locksetdevice 102 and an external wireless commissioning activator 146. Asdepicted, the lockset device 102 includes a processing device 136,memory 150, operating logic 152, lock mechanism 122, and one or moreinput/output devices 138. Optionally, according to the illustratedembodiment, the lockset device 102 may further include a readerinterface 120. The processing device 136 of the lockset device 102 canbe a programmable type, a dedicated, hardwired state machine, or anycombination of these. The processing device 136 may further includemultiple processors, Arithmetic-Logic Units (ALUs), Central ProcessingUnits (CPUs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), or the like. Theprocessing device 136 may be multiple processing units that utilizedistributed, pipelined, and/or parallel processing. Further, theprocessing device 136 may be dedicated to performance of just theoperations described herein or may be utilized in one or more additionalapplications. In the depicted form, the processing device 136 is of aprogrammable variety that executes algorithms and processes data inaccordance with operating logic 152 as defined by programminginstructions (such as software or firmware) stored in memory 150.Alternatively or additionally, the operating logic 152 for theprocessing device 136 is at least partially defined by hardwired logicor other hardware. The processing device 136 may include one or morecomponents of any type suitable to process the signals received from theinput/output device 138 or elsewhere, and to provide desired outputsignals. Such components may include digital circuitry, analogcircuitry, or a combination of both.

The memory 150 may be of one or more types, such as a solid-statevariety, electromagnetic variety, optical variety, or a combination ofthese forms. Furthermore, the memory 150 can be volatile, nonvolatile,or a combination of these types, and some or all of the memory 150 canbe of a portable variety, such as a disk, tape, memory stick, cartridge,or the like. In addition, the memory 150 can store data that ismanipulated by the operating logic 152 of the processing device 136,such as data representative of signals received from and/or sent to theinput/output device 138 in addition to or in lieu of storing programminginstructions defining the operating logic 152, just to name one example.As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 150 may be included with the processingdevice 136 and/or coupled to the processing device 136.

Additionally, various aspects of the operations or processes of theaccess control devices 100 may be implemented in the operating logic 152as operations by software, hardware, artificial intelligence, fuzzylogic, or any combination thereof, or at least partially performed by auser or operator. In certain embodiments, operations represent softwareelements as a computer program encoded on a computer readable medium,wherein a processor of the lockset device 102 performs the describedoperations when executing the computer program.

The input/output device 138 allows the lockset device 102 to communicatewith one or more external devices, including, for example, the wirelesscommissioning activator 146. For example, the input/output device 138may be a transceiver, network adapter, network card, interface, or aport (e.g., a USB port, serial port, parallel port, an analog port, adigital port, VGA, DVI, HDMI, FireWire, CAT 5, or any other type of portor interface). The input/output device 138 may include hardware,software, and/or firmware. It is contemplated that the input/outputdevice 138 will include more than one of these adapters, cards, orports.

According to certain embodiments, the input/output device 138 includes awireless transceiver 148, such as, for example, a wireless transceiver148 that may receive and/or transmit a radio signal. For example,according to certain embodiments, the input/output device 138 includes aBluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver and/or a WIFI transceiver.Moreover, it is contemplated that in some embodiments the lockset device102 may include both a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver and a WIFItransceiver.

The external devices with which the input/output device 138 of thelockset device 102 may communicate with and/or to, including, forexample, the wireless configuration device 153, may be any type ofdevice that allows data to be inputted or outputted from the locksetdevice 102. For example, the external device may be a switch, a router,a firewall, a server, a database, a mobile device, a networking device,a controller, a computer, a processing system, a printer, a display, analarm, an illuminated indicator such as a status indicator, a keyboard,a mouse, or a touch screen display. Furthermore, it is contemplated thatthe external device may be integrated into the lockset device 102. It isfurther contemplated that there may be more than one external device incommunication with the lockset device 102.

According to certain embodiments, the wireless configuration device 153is a portable electronic device, such as, for example, a personalelectronic device, including, but not limited to, a smartphone and atablet computer, and the like. The wireless configuration device 153 mayinclude an input/output device 156 having a transceiver 156 that allowsthe wireless configuration device 153 to transmit and/or receive avariety of different types of information to/from the transceiver 148 ofthe access control device 100, including, for example, deviceidentification information, information regarding activation ordeactivation of the access control device 100, security and/orauthorization information, and diagnostic results, among other types ofinformation. The transceivers 148, 156 of the access control device 100and the wireless configuration device 153 may be adapted to transmitand/or receive information in a variety of formats. For example,according to certain embodiments, the access control device 100 and thewireless configuration device 153 may communicate via a wirelesscommunication protocol such as WI-FI and/or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the wirelessconfiguration device 153 and/or the access control device 100 maycommunicate with a server, access control panel, and/or other accesscontrol devices, among other components of the security managementsystem.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary process 200for commissioning an access control device 100, and more specifically,in this example, the commissioning of the exemplary lockset device 102.The operations illustrated for all of the processes in the presentapplication are understood to be examples only, and operations may becombined or divided, and added or removed, as well as re-ordered inwhole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

At step 202, the lockset device 102 may be installed or mounted on anentryway device 104, such as, for example, a door. At step 204, powermay be applied to the lockset device 102. For example, according to theillustrated embodiment, at step 204, batteries may be operablypositioned in battery terminals in the second inner region of the secondassembly 108 that is generally defined by the battery cover 142 and aportion of the second backing plate 134, as previously discussed.However, according to other embodiments, rather than utilizingbatteries, the lockset device 102, or other access control device 100,may be hardwired to a power supply. Optionally, following mounting tothe entryway device 104, and moreover during periods of relativeinactivity, at step 206 the lockset device 102 may enter a lower poweror hibernation mode in which the lockset device 102 at least attempts tominimize the consumption or electrical power.

At step 208, a user may engage the commissioning activator 146. Aspreviously discussed, the commissioning activator 146 may be accessibleto a user of the lockset device 102 from only one side of the locksetdevice 102. For example, as previously discussed, the commissioningactivator 146 may be accessible to a user only from a second, innerassembly of the lockset device 102. By having the commissioningactivator 146 positioned at a relatively secure side of the locksetdevice 102, and moreover a relatively secure side of the entryway device104, the lockset device 102 can provide an extra level of security thatwill at least attempt to prevent the lockset device 102 from beingcommissioned by an unauthorized user and/or commissioned using anunauthorized wireless configuration device 153.

According to certain embodiments, the installer or user may engage andactivate the commissioning activator 146 by inwardly displace thecommissioning activator 146. Further, according to certain embodiments,such displacement of the commissioning activator 146 may generate anactivation or user input signal that is detected by the processingdevice 136 at step 210. Upon detection of the activation signal theprocessing device 136 may, at step 212, initiate the start of a timeouttimer 158 (FIG. 4) of the lockset device 102. Additionally, upondetection of the activation signal, the processing device 136 may, atstep 214, provide instructions to the input/output device 138 thatactivates the transceiver 148 of the lockset device 102. Alternatively,according to other embodiments, rather than utilizing the commissioningactivator 146, the processing device may proceed with providinginstructions to the input/output device 138 that activates thetransceiver 148 of the lockset device 102 upon power being applied tothe lockset device 102 at step 204.

With the transceiver 148 activated, the transceiver 148 may transmit asignal that uniquely identifies the lockset device 102 that is seen ordetected by external devices, such as, for example, the wirelessconfiguration device 153. For example, according to certain embodiments,the transceiver 148 of the lockset device 102 may transmit BLE or WIFIsignals for receipt or detection by at least the transceiver 156 of thewireless configuration device 153.

At step 216, the lockset device 102, such as, for example, theprocessing device 136, may determine whether the lockset device 102 hasreceived a request for connection from another device, such as, forexample, for the wireless configuration device 153, among other devices.If the lockset device 102 has not received a request for connection,then the lockset device 102, such as the processing device 136, maydetermine at step 218 whether the timer 158 has reach or exceeded apredetermined value or time period. Moreover, if the processing device136 determines that the timeout has occurred, then the lockset device102 may return to a low power mode of step 206. By returning to the lowpower mode, the lockset device 102 may deactivate the transceiver 148such that the transmissions of signals that uniquely identify thelockset device 102 are suspended until the commissioning activator 146is again activated. Such timeouts may occur for a variety of differentreasons. For example, such timeouts may occur at least when thecommissioning activator 146 is activated used for purposes other thancommissioning of the lockset device 102. Moreover, as previouslymentioned, according to certain embodiments, the lockset device 102 maybe utilized for functions in addition to the commissioning of thelockset device 102. For example, according to certain embodiments, theactivation of the commissioning activator 146 may also occur ininstances in which the commissioning activator 146 is being utilized asan REX switch. Thus, in such a situation, the wireless commissioningdevice 153 may not be currently be used for the commissioning of thelockset device 102, and thus the lockset device 102 may not receive arequest for connection before the timeout of the timer 158. If howeverat step 218 it is determined that a timeout has not occurred, then thelockset device 102, such as the processing device 136, may continue todetermine at step 216 whether a connection request has been received bythe lockset device 102.

In the event a connection request is received by the lockset device 102from an external device, such as, for example, a connection request fromthe wireless commissioning device 153, the lockset device 102 may, atstep 220, connect with that external device, such as, for example,connect with the wireless commissioning device 153. Such a connectionmay, according to certain embodiments, include an evaluation of certainidentification or authorization information in at least an attempt toverify the authenticity of the requested connection and/or thesubsequent connection. With the connection established between theappropriate external device, in this example the wireless commissioningdevice 153, the commissioning of the lockset device 102 may commence atstep 222.

Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the above-discussedprocess 200 may also be employed to transmit certain information from ahost device, such as, for example, a server, including, but not limitedto, a cloud based server, among other devices, to the lockset device102. Such transmitted information may be directly between the host andthe lockset device 102, and/or indirect, such as, for example, throughuse of the wireless commissioning device 153, among other devices orcombination of devices. For example, according to certain embodiments,during installation, upon or after notification from the wirelesscommissioning device 153 to the host of the detection by the wirelesscommissioning device 153 of the unique identifier signal the locksetdevice 102, the host may communicate to the wireless commissioningdevice 153 one or more security parameters or features. Such securityparameters or features may include a variety of different types ofinformation that is to be communicated to, and stored by, the locksetdevice 102, such as, for example, one or more encryption keys. Accordingto such an embodiment, during commissioning of the lockset device 102,the security parameters or features that were communicated from the hostto the commission device 153 can be received by the lockset device 102from the commissioning device 153. Alternatively, according to otherembodiments, the wireless commissioning device 153 may have received theone or more security parameters or features prior to detection of theunique identifier signal from the lockset device 102. Additionally,according to other embodiments, the commissioning of the lockset device102 may include the lockset device 102 receiving the one or moresecurity parameters or features from the host in response tonotification to the host of the detection of the unique identifiersignal of the lockset device 102 by the wireless commissioning device153.

It is contemplated that the various aspects, features, computingdevices, processes, and operations from the various embodiments may beused in any of the other embodiments unless expressly stated to thecontrary.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiment(s), but on the contrary, is intended to covervarious modifications and equivalent arrangements included within thespirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accordedthe broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modificationsand equivalent structures as permitted under the law. Furthermore itshould be understood that while the use of the word preferable,preferably, or preferred in the description above indicates that featureso described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessaryand any embodiment lacking the same may be contemplated as within thescope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims thatfollow. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as“a,” “an,” “at least one” and “at least a portion” are used, there is nointention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically statedto the contrary in the claim. Further, when the language “at least aportion” and/or “a portion” is used the item may include a portionand/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

1.-7. (canceled)
 8. A method for commissioning an access control device,the method comprising: receiving, by a processing device of the accesscontrol device, an activation signal indicating the displacement of acommissioning activator from an un-activated position to an activatedposition; activating, upon receipt of the activation signal by theprocessing device, an input/output device of the access control device;transmitting a radio signal from the activated input/output device, theradio signal having a unique identifier for the access control device;receiving by the input/output device, in response to the transmittedradio signal, a connection request; accepting, by the processing device,the connection request; and receiving by the input/output device, uponacceptance of the connection request, a commissioning signal containingcommissioning information for the access control device.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein the commissioning activator outwardly extends fromone side, and only one side, of the access control device.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the commissioning activator is a request forexit switch.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: initiating,after transmitting the radio signal, a timer; determining whether thetimer has reached a timeout period; and deactivating, if the timer isdetermined to have reached the timeout period, the input/output device.12. The method of claim 11, further comprising entering, by the accesscontrol device, a low power mode upon deactivation of the input/outputdevice.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmitting the radiosignal comprises transmitting a Bluetooth low energy or WIFI signal froma transceiver of the input/output device of the access control device.14. A method for commissioning an access control device, the methodcomprising: detecting the displacement of a commissioning activator froman un-activated position to an activated position, the commissioningactivator externally accessible from one, and only one, side of theaccess control device; transmitting, upon detection of the displacementof the commissioning activator, an identification signal from aninput/output device of the access control device; receiving by theinput/output device, in response to the transmitted identificationsignal, a request for connection; accepting, by the processing device,the received request for connection; and receiving by the input/outputdevice, upon acceptance of the connection request, a commissioningsignal containing information for commissioning the access controldevice.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the transmitting theidentification signal includes transmitting in the identification signala unique identifier for the access control device, and wherein the stepof receiving the commissioning signal includes receiving networkinformation for a security management system.
 16. The method of claim14, further comprising: initiating, after transmitting theidentification signal, a timer; determining whether the timer hasreached a timeout period; and deactivating, if the timer is determinedto have reached the timeout period, the input/output device.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising entering, by the access controldevice, a low power mode upon deactivation of the input/output device.18. The method of claim 14, wherein the detecting the displacement ofthe commissioning activator comprises detecting the displacement of arequest for exit switch from the un-activated position to the activatedposition.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the transmitting theidentification signal comprises transmitting a Bluetooth low energy orWIFI signal from a transceiver of the input/output device of the accesscontrol device.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the detecting thedisplacement of the commissioning activator comprises receiving, by aprocessing device of the access control device, an activation signalindicating the displacement of the commissioning activator from theun-activated position to the activated position.
 21. The method of claim14, wherein the commissioning activator is a request for exit switch.22. The method of claim 14, wherein the commissioning activatoroutwardly extends from one side, and only one side, of the accesscontrol device.
 23. The method of claim 14, further comprising entering,by the access control device, a low power mode upon deactivation of theinput/output device.
 24. The method of claim 14, wherein thetransmitting the identification signal comprises transmitting aBluetooth low energy or WIFI signal from a transceiver of theinput/output device of the access control device.
 25. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the commissioning activator is a request for exitswitch.
 26. The method of claim 8, further comprising entering, by theaccess control device, a low power mode upon deactivation of theinput/output device.
 27. The method of claim 8, wherein the step oftransmitting the radio signal comprises transmitting a Bluetooth lowenergy or WIFI signal from a transceiver of the input/output device ofthe access control device.